Household dishwasher and method for operating a household dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A household dishwasher includes a washing compartment receiving items to be washed, a control device configured to carry out a washing program selected from a number of washing programs for washing the items to be washed in the washing compartment, an optical sensor configured to acquire an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment, a receiving unit configured to receive a start signal from an external control unit for starting the washing program remotely, and an evaluation unit configured to identify a safe operating state of the household dishwasher as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal and to block or release a start of the washing program initiated by the received start signal as a function of the identified safe operating state.

The present invention relates to a household dishwasher and a method for operating a household dishwasher.

Conventional dishwashers have for example an automatic safety mechanism, which ensures that the household dishwasher is started only once the user has made certain that a washing program can be carried out in a hazard-free manner. In particular where small children and pets are concerned, the hazard exists that these can climb into the dishwasher cavity of a household dishwasher. To prevent a programmed start of a household dishwasher from being carried out automatically, in particular if the user is not present, it is provided for example that the start is suppressed if the door is not closed within a predetermined time span after the programming of the start.

Household dishwashers are also known that enable the start to be initiated remotely, for example by means of a corresponding app on the user's smartphone. This remote initiation requires a similar activation: if the user wishes to use this function, he/she must activate the remote initiation function upon closing the door. This is done for example by actuating a corresponding control element. If the door is thereafter opened again, the remote initiation function is however deactivated again. If the user then forgets to actuate the corresponding control element again, the remote initiation function is therefore not disadvantageously available.

Against this background, an object of the present invention consists in creating an improved household dishwasher.

Accordingly, a household dishwasher with a control device for carrying out a washing program selected from a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed arranged in a washing compartment is proposed. The household dishwasher has an optical sensor for acquiring an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment and an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to identify a safe operating state of the household dishwasher as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal.

With this household dishwasher, it is advantageously possible to ensure a safe start and execution of a washing program at any time and automatically. In this way, it is for example possible to provide a remote start function for the household dishwasher without restrictions and without safety risks.

The household dishwasher has for example a dishwasher cavity with a base, a ceiling, a rear wall and two side walls. The dishwasher cavity thus forms for example a cuboid which is open on one side, wherein the opening is referred to for example as the loading opening and wherein a door is provided, by means of which the loading opening can be closed. When the door is closed, the door and the dishwasher cavity form in particular the washing compartment, in which for example one or several receptacles for items to be washed for receiving items to be washed are arranged such that they can be pulled out. Different functional components of the household dishwasher, such as one or more spray arms, are for example also arranged in the dishwasher cavity.

The control device can be implemented as hardware and/or software. If implemented as hardware, the control device can be embodied for example as a computer or microprocessor. If implemented as software, the control device can be embodied as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

The control device comprises for example a storage unit for storing the number of washing programs. The individual washing programs of the number differ for example in a sequence of program sub-steps, such as a pre-rinse, a cleaning, a rinsing and/or a drying, and also in one or several parameter values. Parameter values comprise a washing liquor temperature in individual program sub-steps, a duration of individual program sub-steps, a pump speed, an amount of water and an amount of detergent introduced and/or different points in time at which detergent is introduced.

The optical sensor is in particular embodied as an optoelectronic sensor, which makes an analog electrical signal available as the optical sensor signal as a function of an optical signal. This offers the advantage that the optical sensor is integrated on a microchip and can therefore be manufactured and used in a manner which saves on space and material and is cost-effective. Moreover, the analog electrical signal can be converted into a digital signal with little outlay, for example by means of an A/D converter, and then processed digitally.

The optical sensor is arranged in the household dishwasher such that it acquires an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment of the household dishwasher. This is achieved for example if there is a line of sight from the optical sensor to the washing compartment. The optical sensor is arranged for example on the ceiling of the washing compartment, on the rear wall of the washing compartment and/or on a door of the household dishwasher, which in the closed state forms the washing compartment in conjunction with the dishwasher cavity. It can further be provided for multiple optical sensors to be used, wherein a respective optical sensor acquires an optical sensor signal of a subregion of the washing compartment assigned to the respective optical sensor. The optical sensor signal acquired by the optical sensor therefore also encompasses in particular all items and/or objects arranged in the washing compartment or located therein. These are in particular the receptacles for items to be washed and items to be washed arranged therein. Should a child and/or a pet have climbed into the dishwasher cavity, then the child and/or the pet is also comprised by the optical sensor signal.

The optical sensor is in particular configured to acquire the optical sensor signal over a broad spectral range, which is not limited to the optical spectral range.

The optical sensor comprises for example a camera, in particular a digital camera, for example with a CCD sensor (CCD: Charged Coupled Device). The camera acquires for example an image and/or an image sequence of the component.

A lighting device which illuminates in particular the entire washing compartment can be provided by way of support. This lighting device can in particular be embodied as a narrowband light source, such as a laser. Alternatively, the lighting device can be embodied as a broadband light source, such as a light bulb and/or a flash unit.

The evaluation unit can be implemented as hardware and/or software. If implemented as hardware, the respective unit evaluation unit can be embodied for example as a computer or microprocessor. If implemented as software, the evaluation unit can be embodied as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object. The evaluation unit can be embodied in particular as a part of the control device.

The evaluation unit is configured to identify a safe operating state of the household dishwasher as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal. For example, the evaluation unit processes and/or analyzes the acquired optical sensor signal so as to identify safety-related circumstances for the operation and/or a starting and execution of the washing program. As a result, a safe operating state of the household dishwasher is ensured. For example, the evaluation unit identifies whether a living creature, in particular a child or a pet, is located in the washing compartment. The evaluation unit then identifies that the operating state of the household dishwasher is not safe. In particular, the evaluation unit is configured to suppress a start of the washing program, output information to the user and/or carry out a further predetermined action if it identifies an unsafe operating state of the household dishwasher. The further predetermined action can comprise for example an automatic door opening and/or an initiation of an emergency stop button of the household dishwasher.

According to one embodiment of the household dishwasher, the evaluation unit is configured to carry out a predetermined action as a function of the identified safe operating state.

The predetermined action comprises in particular an output of information to the user of the household dishwasher. The information can be represented both visually and acoustically and/or haptically, for example by means of a display element, by means of a loudspeaker and/or by means of a vibration unit. In particular, it can be provided that the information is transmitted by means of a communication unit to an external control device, such as a smartphone of the user, where it is processed and output by a suitable app.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the evaluation unit is configured to block or release a start of the washing program as a function of the identified safe operating state.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the evaluation unit is configured to identify a living creature in the washing compartment as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal.

The optical sensor comprises an infra-red sensor, for example. In particular larger living creatures, such as children and pets, emit infra-red radiation. This infra-red radiation can be detected by the infra-red sensor. The acquired optical sensor signal then has a corresponding shape, so that the evaluation unit can conclude that a living creature is present. If the evaluation unit identifies a living creature in the washing compartment, this corresponds in particular to an unsafe operating state.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the evaluation unit is configured to block the start of the washing program if a living creature is identified in the washing compartment.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the optical sensor comprises an optical motion sensor, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to identify a movement in the washing compartment.

The motion sensor is provided in particular to support the identification of the safe operating state if used at times during which no washing program is being carried out. The motion sensor is further suited to detecting for example a normal movement of the spray arms of the dishwasher while a washing program is being carried out. Here, the optical motion sensor therefore performs a double function.

For example, a certainty in the identification of the safe operating state can be maximized through a combination of different sensor types, such as an optical infra-red sensor and an optical motion sensor.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the evaluation unit is configured to block the start of the washing program if a movement is identified in the washing compartment.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the household dishwasher has a lighting device for illuminating the washing compartment during acquisition of the optical sensor signal.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the optical sensor comprises a camera, wherein the optical sensor signal comprises an image and/or a video of the washing compartment.

According to a further embodiment of the household dishwasher, the evaluation unit is configured to carry out an image analysis of the acquired image and/or video.

According to the invention, the household dishwasher has a receiving unit for receiving a start signal from an external control unit for starting the washing program remotely. The evaluation unit is configured to block or release the start of the washing program initiated by the received start signal as a function of the identified safe operating state.

The receiving unit is embodied in particular as a modem and/or a network adapter and is configured to receive the start signal by means of a network, such as a LAN, a WLAN and/or a mobile radio network. The external control unit is embodied in particular as a smartphone on which a corresponding app is running.

The receiving unit can further be embodied for bidirectional communication. This means in particular that the receiving unit can also be configured to transmit data.

The blocking or the release of the start can for example be understood to mean that the evaluation unit intercepts the received start signal even before the control device. Alternatively or in addition, it can also be provided that the control device, upon receiving a start signal, initially queries the safe operating state with the evaluation unit and, depending on the response, either carries out or aborts the start.

In embodiments of the household dishwasher, the household dishwasher has an automatic dosing system, which has a reservoir for accommodating a supply of detergent and which is configured to introduce detergent automatically into the washing compartment while the washing program is being carried out. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for a remote start function, as it enables the user to choose from different washing programs requiring for example different detergents while on the move.

According to a further aspect, a method for operating a household dishwasher with a control device for carrying out a washing program selected from a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed arranged in a washing compartment is proposed. In a first method step, a start signal for starting the washing program is acquired. To this end, a user of the household dishwasher uses for example a remote start function, wherein the start signal is transmitted from a smartphone of the user to the household dishwasher. In a second method step, an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment is acquired by means of an optical sensor.

In a third method step, a safe operating state of the household dishwasher is identified by an evaluation unit as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal of the washing compartment.

This method advantageously makes it possible to ensure a safe operation of the household dishwasher at any time and automatically.

In embodiments of the method, it can be provided to transmit the acquired optical sensor signal to a mobile device, in particular a smartphone, and/or to a server, such as a backend. The mobile device and/or the server are in particular embodied as the evaluation unit and configured to identify the safe operating state as a function of the transmitted sensor signal. On a mobile device, the identification of the safe operating state can be carried out in particular by means of an app running on the mobile device.

The embodiments and features described for the proposed household dishwasher apply correspondingly to the proposed method.

In particular, it can be provided that a start of the washing program is either released or blocked by the evaluation unit as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal of the washing compartment. In addition, further predetermined actions are possible, which the evaluation unit carries out as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal and/or of the identified safe operating state.

Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which initiates the execution of the method as described above on a program-controlled device.

A computer program product, such as a computer program means, can for example be provided or supplied as a storage medium such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM or DVD or also in the form of a file which can be downloaded from a server in a network. This can take place, for example, in a wireless communications network through the transmission of a corresponding file with the computer program product or the computer program means.

Further possible implementations of the invention also comprise combinations—not explicitly cited—of features or forms of embodiment described above or below in respect of the exemplary embodiments. Here the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or amendments to the respective basic form of the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is described below in greater detail on the basis of preferred forms of embodiment with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a household dishwasher;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a household dishwasher; and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary method for operating a household dishwasher.

In the figures, elements that are identical or have the same function are denoted by the same reference characters unless otherwise stated.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 has a dishwasher cavity 2, which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. A sealing facility can be provided for this purpose between the door 3 and the dishwasher cavity 2 (not shown). The dishwasher cavity 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The dishwasher cavity 2 can be arranged in a housing of the household dishwasher 1. The dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 can form a washing compartment 4 for washing items to be washed.

The door 3 is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3. With the aid of the door 3, a loading opening 6 of the dishwasher cavity 2 can be closed or opened. The dishwasher cavity 2 has a base 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite to the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged facing the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged facing one another. The base 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 may be manufactured from a stainless steel sheet for example. Alternatively, the base 7 may be manufactured from a plastic material.

Furthermore, the household dishwasher 1 has at least one receptacle for items to be washed 12, 13, 14. Preferably, a plurality of receptacles for items to be washed 12, 13, 14, for example three, are provided, wherein the receptacle for items to be washed 12 may be a lower receptacle for items to be washed or a lower basket, the receptacle for items to be washed 13 may be an upper receptacle for items to be washed or an upper basket, and the receptacle for items to be washed 14 may be a cutlery drawer. As additionally shown in FIG. 1, the receptacles for items to be washed 12, 13, 14 are arranged above one another in the dishwasher cavity 2. Each receptacle for items to be washed 12 to 14 is optionally able to be shifted into or out of the dishwasher cavity 2. In particular, each receptacle for items to be washed 12, 13, 14 is able be inserted into the dishwasher cavity 2 in an insertion direction E and extracted from the dishwasher cavity 2 in an extraction direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

The household dishwasher 1 also has a control device 100 and an evaluation unit 120, which are arranged on the door 3. An optical sensor 110 embodied as a camera is arranged on the ceiling 8 such that it is configured to acquire an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment 4 and thus of all components and objects comprised within the washing compartment 4. The dashed lines below the camera 110 indicate an acquisition region of the camera 110.

Through the combination of the camera 110 and the evaluation unit 120, it is advantageously possible to identify a safe operating state of the household dishwasher 1 at any time and automatically.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a household dishwasher 1, for example a variant of the household dishwasher 1 from FIG. 1. In this example, the door 3 is closed, so that the dishwasher cavity 2 and the door 3 form the closed washing compartment 4. The household dishwasher 1 from FIG. 2 has all features of the household dishwasher from FIG. 1, wherein many of the features are not shown for reasons of clarity. The optical sensor 110 is arranged on the ceiling 8 of the dishwasher cavity 2.

The household dishwasher 1 further has a lighting device 130 and a receiving unit 150.

Next to the household dishwasher 1, an external control unit 160 is shown, which is embodied for example as a smartphone. The smartphone 160 is configured to establish a communication connection with the receiving unit 150, for example via a mobile radio network. In particular, a user can transmit a start signal S to the receiving unit 150 by means of the smartphone 160. The start signal S causes the control device 100 of the household dishwasher 1 to start a washing program. Here, the start signal S can also comprise a selection of the washing program from a number of washing programs.

In the representation in FIG. 2, a living creature 140, such as a dog of the user, is however located in the washing compartment 4. The dog 140 has for example jumped into the washing compartment 4 during loading of the washing compartment 4 with items to be washed in a moment unobserved by the user, and the user has closed the door of the dishwasher cavity 2 without noticing that the dog 140 is located in the dishwasher cavity 4. The user decides for example to carry out a washing program while on the move. To this end, he/she opens the corresponding app on his/her smartphone 160, selects a washing program, and confirms the selection. The smartphone 160 thereupon transmits the corresponding start signal S to the receiving unit 150 of the household dishwasher 1. The latter receives the start signal S and transmits it for example to the control device 100. The control device 100 is configured to take into account the safe operating state of the household dishwasher 1 before the start of the washing program.

To this end, the optical sensor 110 acquires an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment 4, in the example shown with the support of the lighting device 130, which illuminates the washing compartment 4 during the acquisition of the optical sensor signal. The optical sensor 110 transmits the acquired optical sensor signal to the evaluation unit 120, which thereupon identifies the safe operating state based on the acquired optical sensor signal. In the example, however, the evaluation unit 120 identifies that the dog 140 is located in the washing compartment 4. The operating state of the household dishwasher 1 is therefore unsafe, and the evaluation unit 120 identifies the operating state as unsafe, as a result of which the evaluation unit 120 suppresses the start of the washing program. The control device 100 will therefore not carry out the start.

In embodiments, it can further be provided that the evaluation unit 120 carries out an automatic door opening as a predetermined action, so that the dog 140 is released from the washing compartment 4. Furthermore, information can be transmitted to the user. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 150 is configured in particular for bidirectional communication with the external control unit 160.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a household dishwasher 1, in particular the household dishwasher 1 from FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

In a first method step S1, a start signal S for starting a washing program is acquired. The start signal S can in particular be received by an external control unit 160, such as a smartphone.

In a second method step S2, an optical sensor 110 acquires an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment 4.

In a third method step S3, an evaluation unit 120 identifies a safe operating state of the household dishwasher 1 as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal. This means in particular that the evaluation unit 120 processes and checks the acquired optical sensor signal.

For example, the evaluation unit 120 identifies that a safe operating state is ensured. The washing program can then be carried out as provided. In other situations, it can be that the evaluation unit 120 identifies that the safe operating state is not ensured. It can then be provided that the evaluation unit 120 blocks a start of the washing program. In this case, it can further be provided that an optical sensor signal is acquired and the safe operating state identified again at predetermined time intervals. The washing program can be started as soon as the safe operating state is given, provided that the start signal S is then still valid.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in numerous different ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

-   1 Household dishwasher -   2 Dishwasher cavity -   3 Door -   4 Washing compartment -   5 Pivot axis -   6 Loading opening -   7 Base -   8 Ceiling -   9 Rear wall -   10 Side wall -   11 Side wall -   12 Receptacle for items to be washed -   13 Receptacle for items to be washed -   14 Receptacle for items to be washed -   100 Control device -   110 Optical sensor -   120 Evaluation unit -   130 Lighting device -   140 Living creature -   150 Receiving unit -   160 External control unit -   A Extraction direction -   E Insertion direction -   S Start signal -   S1 Method step -   S2 Method step -   S3 Method step 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A household dishwasher, comprising: a washing compartment receiving items to be washed; a control device configured to carry out a washing program selected from a number of washing programs for washing the items to be washed in the washing compartment; an optical sensor configured to acquire an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment; a receiving unit configured to receive a start signal from an external control unit for starting the washing program remotely; and an evaluation unit configured to identify a safe operating state of the household dishwasher as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal and to block or release a start of the washing program initiated by the received start signal as a function of the identified safe operating state.
 14. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to carry out a predetermined action as a function of the identified safe operating state.
 15. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to block or release a start of the washing program as a function of the identified safe operating state.
 16. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to identify a living creature in the washing compartment as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal.
 17. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to block the start of the washing program when the evaluation unit identifies the presence of a living creature in the washing compartment.
 18. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is embodied as an optical motion sensor for detecting a movement in the washing compartment, said evaluation unit configured to identify the safe operating state as a function of the detected movement.
 19. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to block the start of the washing program when the optical sensor detects a movement in the washing compartment.
 20. The household dishwasher of claim 13, further comprising a lighting device configured to illuminate the washing compartment during acquisition of the optical sensor signal.
 21. The household dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera, with the optical sensor signal comprising an image and/or a video of the washing compartment.
 22. The household dishwasher of claim 21, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to carry out an image analysis of the acquired image and/or video.
 23. A method for operating a household dishwasher, comprising: acquiring a start signal for starting a washing program selected from a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed arranged in a washing compartment of the household dishwasher; acquiring by an optical sensor an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment; and identifying by an evaluation unit a safe operating state of the household dishwasher as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal of the washing compartment.
 24. A computer program product for operating a household dishwasher, comprising a program-controlled device having stored therein a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program, when loaded into the program-controlled device and executed by the program-controlled device, causes the program-controlled device to execute the steps of: acquiring a start signal for starting a washing program selected from a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed arranged in a washing compartment of the household dishwasher; acquiring by an optical sensor an optical sensor signal of the washing compartment; and identifying by an evaluation unit a safe operating state of the household dishwasher as a function of the acquired optical sensor signal of the washing compartment. 